Construction begins on two bridges; traffic delays expected

COLUMBIA — Drivers on East Broadway might experience delays as repair began Monday on two Route WW bridges.

There might be times when all lanes of the roadway are closed to traffic, a MoDOT official said. Drivers should expect delays until the bridge construction is completed in mid-to-late August.

Construction began Monday on the Broadway Bridge over U.S. 63 and the Route WW Bridge over Hominy Creek, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation website. Broadway becomes Route WW as the roadway extends east. Construction on each bridge is expected to be finished within 45 days.

Charles Sullivan, resident engineer for MoDOT's Central District, said the construction's primary focus is to remove sections of the driving surface and to repair the road to a more drivable condition. He said the bearings beneath the Broadway Bridge are also being repaired.

Work on the Broadway Bridge began at 7 p.m. Monday. One lane in each direction, as well as a left-hand turn lane, will remain open during construction.

Construction on the Route WW Bridge over Hominy Creek began at 6 p.m. Monday. Sullivan said the bridge will be closed during the roadwork.

MoDOT said in a news release that the bridge rehabilitation projects involve extensive concrete repair, and there might be times when all lanes are closed.

Sullivan said the important thing for commuters is to find alternate routes to avoid the construction work.

"We are hoping that people will take the time, alter their schedule, look for alternate routes, whatever they can do," Sullivan said.

The bridges are the last of eight in the Columbia area to be repaired under MoDOT's Mid-Missouri Bridge Maintenance Project. The project has plans to repair two more bridges in Callaway and Howard counties. The construction is scheduled to be completed in November, according to the website.